Simon Mignolet is set to leave Liverpool on a permanent deal next week, leaving Jurgen Klopp in need of a new backup for first-choice goalkeeper Alisson.
The Belgian spent the entire 2018/19 as No. 2, making just two appearances, and after a short stint as a starter during pre-season, immediately lost his place again on Alisson‘s return.
Mignolet’s agent had already confirmed he was seeking a move away from Merseyside, but the club were publicly adamant he would stay, with Klopp enamoured with his professionalism.
Now, following Liverpool’s first competitive game of the season in the Community Shield, widespread reports have confirmed Mignolet is joining Club Brugge.
The 31-year-old departed London on Sunday evening after spending the eventual defeat to Man City on the substitutes’ bench, and returns to his native Belgium.
Among those to report the deal is the Times‘ Paul Joyce, who writes that Mignolet is set for a medical with the First Division A side on Monday, ahead of a deal worth an initial €7 million (£6.4m).
With performance-related add-ons, Liverpool could receive up to €9 million (£8.24m), which is just shy of the fee paid to sign him from Sunderland back 2013.
Het Laatste Nieuws‘ Kristof Terreur adds that Mignolet will sign a five-year deal with Club Brugge, who thrashed his former club, Sint Truiden, 6-0 on Friday.
This switch should provide the 22-cap international with an opportunity to establish himself as a No. 1 goalkeeper once again.
Ever since the signing of Loris Karius from Mainz in 2016, Mignolet has served as deputy for both club and country, and while he is unlikely to dislodge Thibaut Courtois as Belgium’s first choice, he can find an ideal home in Bruges.
Liverpool are now set to mount their pursuit of a new backup.
Ex-West Ham ‘keeper Adrian, now a free agent, is the prime candidate, but a surprise option could emerge before Thursday evening’s deadline.
It seems unlikely that it would be summer stand-in Andy Lonergan, however, with Goal‘s Neil Jones reporting that he “will not be joining permanently.”
The Evening Standard‘s David Lynch claims Southampton‘s Alex McCarthy is “among the players believed to be under consideration.”
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